Magpies take the ANZAC plate in hard fought win

In the second game played on May 1st,Â New York faced a huge test against a new looking Boston Demons outfit. The Demons have recruited strongly over the off season and New York knew they would have to play at their best to win.

NY started with Mantzaris in the ruck and onballers JD and Heffernan roving his taps well. Keating presented strongly up forward along with Nick Walker, who provided the tall targets for the Magpies. However, it was Sani who snagged the first goal of the game to get the Magpies off to a great start. Wittmer and Smith worked tirelessly on the Boston captain, ensuring he did not have a huge impact on the game, whilst getting plenty of the ball themselves.

The backline was a fortress in the first half keeping Boston goalless. Ouu showed his poise and class repelling many Boston attacks while Polulach (back from suspension) and Lewis provided cool heads. Mitchell and Hawkins proved lively across half forward, which allowed the Magpies to take a 3 goal lead into the half time break.

The second half saw a re-energized Boston unit come out hard. The Magpies lost Buxton and Walker to serious ankle injuries and when Guarino’s ribs took a huge hit the Magpies were starting to look vulnerable as Boston was coming. Boston peppered the goals but the backline, thanks to Lin and Desai.Â With Farrell moving to the backline to stem the bleeding and Davis’ ferocious attack on the ball, the Magpies backline continued to stand strong.

Smiley was moved into the ruck after Mantzaris had run himself into the ground. Without Walker at centre half forward the Magpies were struggling to find avenues to goal. McMaster was then brought onto the ground and McCormick pushed forward providing the spark required. Brennan lifted after the coach had asked for special effort from his captain, while Toby continued his ferious tackling.

Boston will rue their wasted opportunities in front of goal.Â Keating and Brennan both goaled for the Pies and their lead was enough to hold on. In the end it was the Magpies who proved too strong on the day running out winners by 15 points in a very physical and closely fought game.